Central Washington University's already highly regarded Asian studies and exchange programs are in line to become even better.

"We have a reputation for strong programs, " said David Soltz, CWU provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "We have long-standing programs, and we are way ahead of the game with many universities compared to exchanges with China."

Soltz, along with director of international studies and programs Michael Launius and professor of philosophy Chenyang Li, received a first-hand look at those exchanges during an October visit to China.

"Basically, we met with exchange partners we already have established to reaffirm and expand opportunities for student and faculty exchange," Soltz said. "It was a chance to strengthen existing partnerships."

Soltz said that he is impressed with the strength of our relationships, particularly with Anhui and Beijing Jiaotong University. During his visit to Anhui, a revised and updated agreement was signed.

"We are one of Anhui's major exchanges, and we want to build on that," he said.

Launius added: "In Asia, the personal relationship is very important. It is of value to send our institutional leaders there so we can more easily cut through bureaucratic problems that can happen. We learned a lot that will be of value to the office of international studies and programs and the rest of campus."

Launius joined the CWU faculty in 1988, but is new to the OISP director's position, so the trip allowed him to make contacts and learn of changes in programs and physical environments. As an example, he said Anhui is building a campus with new classrooms and the latest technical capabilities. He said it was important to have a knowledge of the realities in China.

Central also is making improvements to its Chinese language program in Ellensburg. This year, CWU has hired Louis Meng as a professor of Chinese. His contract is renewable for up to three years, at which time it could become a tenure-track position. Part of Meng's salary is funded by a grant from the Casten Family Foundation.

"We have high hopes that this (position) will stabilize the program," Launius said. "It was a roller coaster adventure before. We encourage more students to become majors."

After productive meetings with exchange partners in China, Central Washington University's David Soltz, Michael Launius and Chenyang Li made a side trip to Japan on the way home.

They met up with CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre, who had been invited to give a keynote address at the 50th anniversary celebration at Shimane Women's University in Matsue City. McIntyre's invitation to the event came from Daisetsu Fujioka, her Shimane counterpart. Josh Nelson, chair of CWU's foreign languages department, served as an interpreter, and McIntyre's husband, David Smith, also attended.

"I was very honored to be asked to present some remarks during this very important ceremony," McIntyre says. "It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with one of the many institutions around the world with which we have partnered. This trip fit nicely into the university's globalization theme for the year."

After the celebration, McIntyre, Smith, Nelson and Launius stayed to visit five other Japanese exchange partners while Soltz and Li returned to Ellensburg.

"It was a nice opportunity to reinforce the importance of our partnerships to the various institutions, and to let them know of our hope to expand those programs," McIntyre said.

Launius added: "It was the president's first trip to Japan. It gave her first-hand exposure to our partner institutions and a better understanding of what faculty and staff gain from an exchange experience. It is very important to have that kind of understanding of the value of the programs."

For Nelson, it was "more than a goodwill tour. It was instructive to see where I have been sending my students for the last 12 years, meet my counterparts and look at the facilities. By visiting, we can find out what our successes are and some of the recurring problems. This was a peak experience from a professional standpoint."

CWU FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS CALLED TO MILITARY SERVICE

Students and faculty members from Central Washington University are among the men and women of the Washington National Guard 81st Armored Brigade that are now expected to be deployed to Iraq.

The U.S. Defense Department recently announced that, beginning in March, the 81st would replace the 53rd Enhanced Special Brigade from the Florida National Guard around Baghdad.

Among the members of the Washington unit is Dr. Timothy P. Dittmer, CWU economics professor. He began training in November for an estimated year-long deployment. Dittmer's unit received a Department of Army mobilization order, placing it on federal active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Other members of the CWU economics faculty will cover Dittmer's sophomore- and junior-level courses through the conclusion of fall quarter, according to Dr. Roy Savoian, CWU College of Business dean. Dittmer has been a member of the CWU faculty since 1999.

"There are a variety of feelings that I, the faculty and university community have at a time like this," Savoian says. "Certainly, our thoughts are with Tim, his wife, Susie, and their two small children."

Two members of CWU's public safety and police services also have been activated: officer Jeff St. John and dispatcher Tom Woolsey.

CWU freshman Brett C. Wachsmith, a 2002 graduate of Ellensburg High School, is a member of the 81st as part of an infantry battalion stationed in Wenatchee. He had been planning on pursuing a business degree at Central, possibly followed by law school - plans which have now been put on hold. He reported for duty Nov. 15.

Wachsmith said his unit would train in Wenatchee for a week, followed by three months at Fort Lewis in Tacoma. Troop preparations will conclude with four weeks of desert training in California before the eventual deployment.

Wachsmith is one of 27 CWU students who notified the registrar's office that they would be leaving for the military. Central is planning for the students' return to school.

"We will put notes on their files and make the transition back as easy as possible," Norm Wright, associate registrar, said. "They have a sense of duty and are very professional about their obligation. The attitude is, 'I have been called to go, so I'm going.'"

CWU Students/Military Activation
Dale Blad, junior; Jennifer Campbell, junior; Muhammad Chaudry, UC5; Joseph Deccio, sophomore; Jerimiah Drennen, senior; Micah DuBeau, freshman; Emily Duplessis, junior; Ryan Fowler, sophomore; Benancio Garcia III, senior; Ky Ha, junior; Nicholas Hawkins, sophomore; Daniel House, senior; William Joy, sophomore; Nicholas Loveless, freshman; Jennifer Miller, freshman; Derrick Mitchell, junior.

Also, Brian Parkes, sophomore; Hector Ramos, freshman; Matthew Romano, freshman; Tamera (Schouweiler) Snyder, junior; Joe Siemandel, freshman; Christian Striggow, freshman; Tom Truex, sophomore; Brett Wachsmith, freshman; Leanna Waldbauer, sophomore; Tim Wheatley, freshman; Christopher Yanez, freshman.

CWU ROTC PROGRAM RANKED NATIONALLY

Central Washington University's Army ROTC program last year ranked 16th out of 272 programs in the nation. That was an improvement from No. 33 the previous year.

And, two CWU cadets were ranked among the top 100 Army ROTC cadets out of 4,681 in the country: Jonathan E. Pickett, math, 10th and Michael J. Skiff, political science, 95th.

The program ranking is determined by two factors: how many officers the unit commissioned and how well this year's seniors performed. Last year, CWU commissioned 14 officers, two more than its goal. Seniors are ranked by grade point average, academic-year ROTC functions and summer camp performance at Fort Lewis. CWU's program has about 70 cadets.

Capt. David "Tony" Tarvin said, "Cadets who do well in our program have a leg up because of the ranking." He added that being high up on the national merit list might help with duty and location assignments.

CWU EMPLOYEES

Civil Service new hires: Roberta Lowe, Office Assistant II, Human Resources; Dale Lonowski, Student Admin. Applications Trainer, Enterprise Information Systems; Carla McClure, Office Assistant III, University Housing and New Student Programs; and Nancy Page, Drapery Fabricator, University Housing and New Student Programs.

Civil Service job changes: Charles Pringle, Information Technology Applications Specialist III, Facilities Management.

FIRST REGIONAL FUEL CELL COMING TO CWU

Avista Labs delivered the first fuel cell to be installed in central Washington to a team of engineering students at Central Washington University Nov. 24. The fuel cell will be the first part of a grant received by the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative (NWETC) to educate students and the public about hydrogen and fuel cells.

"We are pleased to develop this partnership and receive this new fuel cell," CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre said. "Central has a strong industrial and engineering technology program (IET) and this provides one more tool to help our students to be market skilled when they graduate."

The Avista Labs' fuel cell that will be installed at CWU is already in use in other settings and has proved commercially viable without subsidies. "We as well, are also pleased to be a part of this program. As our company and our industry grow, we will need top quality engineers. This program is a positive step in that direction," said Avista Lab CEO, Mike Davis.

With the fuel cell now in Ellensburg, CWU students will serve as project managers for installing it into a hydrogen learning center.

"Not many engineering students can say they served as a project manager on installing a fuel cell," Dr. Walt Kaminski, Central's IET chair, points out. "This is a unique opportunity."

Also on hand Monday for the fuel cell delivery were a number of teachers who are being trained to teach six days of coursework on hydrogen and fuel cells to high school students, who will in turn share what they learn with elementary students in order to build interest in science.

The teachers will receive a PEM fuel cell car kit that makes hydrogen from a solar cell that powers the fuel cell on the model car. Each car kit costs between $125 and $200.

"Young people need to understand that fuel cell technology will likely replace internal combustion," according to Morgan Middle School science teacher Kevin Dwight. "Shaping attitudes and perceptions about new technologies is necessary to shake our mental dependency on oil. Thanks to Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative, public education now has access to this technology for instructional purposes."

After completing their coursework, students will come to the CWU campus to see a fuel cell at work in order to complete the education module.

"We plan to replicate this process in other locations across Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon," Jeff Morris, NWETC director, says. "We are excited to launch this unique opportunity in Ellensburg as our first program support site."

NEW SONGS PREMIERED

Vijay Singh premiered new songs composed by John Pickett at a faculty recital Nov. 12 in Hertz Hall. Singh and Pickett are CWU professors of music. Singh also guest conducted the Tri Cities District High School Honors Choir Nov. 1 in Pasco and featured his University Chorale at the CWU Choral Festival Nov. 5-6.

CWU JOB OPENINGS

Searches are under way for the following positions. You can access the CWU home page (www.cwu.edu/~hr/jobs) or the Job Line at (509) 963-1562.

Faculty:
Cornerstone and GEAR UP Mathematics Coordinator, Trish Swanson, 963-2103;
Earth Materials/Mineralogy, Assistant Professor, 963-2801;
Foreign Language, Spanish, Rodney Bransdorfer, 963-1218;
History Education/History, Assistant Professor, Roxanne Easley, 963-2344;
Orchestral Activities, Director Peter Gries, 963-1216;
Sociology, Assistant Professor, Laura Appleton, 963-2344.

Exempt:
Academic Advisor (Pre-College), Angie Candido, 509-574-6895;
Admissions Recruiter, Tina Morefield, 963-3012;
Admissions Recruiter, West Side, Tina Morefield, 963-3012;
Dean, College of the Sciences, Caroline Onstot, 963-1400;
PANGA Network Engineer, 963-2701;
Senior Director of Development, Janet Davies, 963-2160;
Special Education Technology Specialist, 963-3350.

Civil Service:
Accountant, Dec. 31;
Fiscal Technician III, Dec. 2;
Mail Services Lead, Dec. 16.

Temporary
Driver/Technology Assistant;
Instructors, High School Equivalency Program (Ellensburg and Yakima);
Medical Technician;
Registered Nurse;
Tutors (in Yakima).

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2
Concert: CWU Composer's, 8 p.m., Hertz Auditorium
Presentation: "Trust Us, We're the Government," "Does John Ashcroft make you feel safer?" by Pat Gallagher, American Civil Liberties Speakers Bureau, 7 p.m., SUB Theatre

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
Ware Fair: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., SUB
Meeting: CWU Faculty Senate, 3:10 p.m., Barge 412
Colloquium: "Modeling of Effects of Land Management Alternatives on Elk and Deer Across the Entire Columbia River Basin," by Dr. John Lehmkuhl, research wildlife biologist, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 4 p.m., Lind 104, presented by geography and resource management
Concert: CWU Symphonic Band, 8 p.m., Hertz Auditorium

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
Ware Fair: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., SUB
Holiday Reception: 4-6 p.m., Tunstall/Sue Lombard Dining Room
Discussion: public forum on Dennis Kucinich for U.S. President, 6 p.m., Black Hall 150
Film Series: "Awful Truth with Michael Moore," excerpts from his TV series, 7 p.m., Black 151

Swimming: Wildcat Invitational, all day, CWU pool, through Dec. 7
Music: Regional Division National Trumpet Competition, Hertz Auditorium, through Dec. 6
Ware Fair: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., SUB
Natural Science Seminar: "Plant Responses to the Environment," by Ray Donahue, department of biological sciences, CWU, 4 p.m., Science Building 147
Nutcracker Ballet: 7:30 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $12 adults, $7 children, $7 students, presented by Ellensburg Youth Ballet
Concert: Ellington/Strayhorn Jazz "Nutcracker Suite," 8 p.m., Hertz Auditorium
Comedy Night: 8 p.m., SUB Club Central

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Ware Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., SUB
Holiday Extravaganza: event for K-5 children, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., SUB Fountain Room
Santa Claus: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., SUB Club Central
Nutcracker Ballet: 7:30 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $12 adults, $7 children, presented by Ellensburg Youth Ballet
Concert: CWU Guitar Ensemble, 8 p.m., Hertz Auditorium

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Nutcracker Ballet: 2:30 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $12 adults, $7 children, presented by Ellensburg Youth Ballet

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
Faculty Development/Study Day

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
Concert:Final exams begin

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
Fall quarter ends

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
Operation Elf: Celebration for non-traditional students and their families, 4-7 p.m., SUB Pit

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
Women's Basketball: CWU vs. Willamette, 5 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion